Lakers should be all-in on Jonathan Kuminga but at the right price

LAS VEGAS — It’s no secret that the Lakers are pursuing unrestricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. And at this point, it’s clear that Kuminga would like to be a Laker. But the two sides aren’t close on an agreement because the Lakers’ lastest offer isn’t what Kuminga’s side is seeking from L.A. The Lakers’ latest offer, a source told the California Post, would have Kuminga earning an average annual salary around $10 million. At this point in the league’s calendar – almost 1 ½ weeks into the start of free agency – the amount of double digit salary deals are becoming less common.But the vision the Lakers have pitched Kuminga on – being the team’s starting wing who completes the puzzle of the team’s offseason of building around superstar Luka Doncic – doesn’t match the offers the Lakers have made to Kuminga at this point.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Especially when factoring in the fact the Lakers agreed to long-term deals with Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million) and Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million), both of whom will make at least $13 million next season despite at least one of them coming off of the bench if Kuminga joins the Lakers.  It’s clear Kuminga wants more from the Lakers. The problem for the Lakers? They’ve already used up the $52-plus million in cap space they entered the offseason with on Grimes, Mamukelashvili, Walker Kessler (four years, $130 million), Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million) and Kevon Looney (one year, $3.9 million).The Lakers would have to shed a little over $10 million in salary to create enough cap space to outright sign Kuminga – and that’s before factoring in the deals for Sexton and Looney, which aren’t official yet, or the re-sig...